BROOKFIELD -- From the outside, the town-owned cottage at the edge of the Brookfield Public Library is overgrown with weeds. Tarps hide weather-related roof damage. Its curb appeal is next to nil.

Yet the two-bedroom, 1 1/2-story cottage is a historic property with a big barn, and it is close to the heart of the community. With some effort, the former milk house for a 19th century private school for boys has potential, town leaders suggest.

The rub is the price tag.

On March 16, the town tried to auction the property starting at $140,000. No one made an offer.

On April 1, right before the Board of Selectmen's meeting, Davidson intends to hold a second special town meeting to authorize town leaders to sell the property without a set minimum bid. He said more bidders might be attracted.

The cottage's national historic designation has led the town to stipulation the house be renovated rather than razed.

Davidson said he has heard from some people interested in restoration. But none showed up with a check. That signals the price is too high, he said. The $140,000 minimum bid was decided based on the assessed value of the land, $151,000.

"We want to come up with a price that will make it of interest" Davidson said.

The selectmen might opt to do another auction, or set a minimum price and opt for a closed-bid process, he said.

"We want to take an unproductive asset and make into a productive asset," Davidson said of the cottage, which until five years ago was a taxable rental property. "I take no pride in what it looks like now."